Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

Posted on: February 13, 2010 6:47 pm

Edited on: February 13, 2010 7:19 pm

DALLAS – Steve Kerr and Danny Ferry met Friday at All-Star weekend, a sure sign that Cavaliers’ pursuit of Amar’e Stoudemire has intensified. But if anybody knows the downside of such a move, it’s Kerr.

One snag in a possible pairing of Stoudemire and LeBron James in Cleveland would be another kind of pairing that’s already been tried and didn’t work. Shaquille O’Neal and Stoudemire could not co-exist in Phoenix, one of many reasons Kerr was forced to undo his mistake and send Shaq to the Cavs.

According to sources, there’s a fear among some members of the Cavs’ organization that, while Stoudemire would be a good long-term pairing with LeBron, incorporating him on the floor with Shaq might present too difficult an adjustment for the rest of the season. In Phoenix, Shaq and Stoudemire were unable to make the low-post, high-post thing work – and that was with a world-class point guard, Steve Nash. With the Cavs, Shaq and Amar’e clogging the middle might frustrate LeBron and turn him into too much of a jump shooter.

This problem would be moot after the season, when Shaq presumably will sign with another team or retire. But with an NBA-best 37-11 record at the All-Star break, shaking things up would be risky. It only underscores how critical this decision is for Cleveland. Make a bold move to placate LeBron, only to risk accelerating his departure.

The Cavs brass are said to be consulting LeBron on all matters Amar’e, and it’s possible that James will be able to sell GM Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown that he could make it work. Having said that, sources say the Miami Heat’s interest in Stoudemire has not waned. Miami, though, has the luxury of possessing enough cap space to sign a marquee free agent to pair with Dwyane Wade this summer. The Cavs are capped out and would only be able to give LeBron another top-shelf free agent through sign-and-trades.

With that sense of urgency in mind, the Cavs have not moved off Washington’s Antawn Jamison as a solution. Jamison was James’ original target, and sources say the Wizards – despite playing hard-ball in discussions with rival GMs – are now committed to trading Jamison. Like Phoenix, the Wizards don’t merely want cap relief in exchange. They want assets and possibly a quality draft pick as well.

Here’s more of the trade chatter, culled from conversations with GMs, agents, and others in the know in Dallas and beyond:

• The Wizards-Mavericks deal has now expanded to include two more players and now looks like this: Washington gets Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton and Quinton Ross in exchange for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson, sources say. You may be wondering, as I am, why Washington chose this deal instead of another blockbuster that would’ve sent Jamison and Butler to Boston for a package including Ray Allen. According to sources, a handful of Eastern Conference GMs pressured Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld to shy away from the Boston deal for obvious reasons. “It would screw up the balance of power in the East for three years,” one executive said. One theory circulating in Dallas is that Grunfeld didn’t want to alienate other teams he might need to do business with as he continues dismantling the roster in the wake of the Gilbert Arenas firearms fiasco.

• There’s hope in some circles that talks between the Rockets and Bulls on a deal centering around Tracy McGrady and Tyrus Thomas could be rekindled, although one source with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Houston’s interest in Thomas could be separate from any McGrady scenario. McGrady’s $23 million expiring contract would help the Bulls amass the kind of cap space they’re seeking in their bid to lure two max free agents this summer. But several other teams – Portland, San Antonio, and Denver – could have more to offer.

• The Knicks continue to pursue Thomas in a package that would send Al Harrington and his $10 million expiring contract to Chicago. Harrington’s movement-killing tendencies on offense are frustrating coach Mike D’Antoni, who believes Thomas’ length and athleticism would be a good long-term fit. In any event, D’Antoni would get to look at Thomas in his system for the rest of the season before deciding whether to retain him as a restricted free agent.

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

I'm a little unsure about Amare with his past injury issues, but if all it costs Cleveland is JJ Hickson and Z it would be worth it. The Shaq issue can be worked out. I was talking with a relative of Hickson that indicated he wanted out although he enjoyed his teammated on the Cavs. Hickson is not and will not be anything other than a role player, so Danny Ferry, please make a deal happen for Amare or Jamison.

Since: Sep 19, 2008

Posted on: February 14, 2010 8:32 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

Why would Washington possibly want to send Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to the Boston Celtics for a package that includes Ray Allen. I don't know who else would've been involved with this deal if it had made it to fruition. All I can say is I would rather get Josh Howard than Ray Allen and the Wizards were able to accomplish that without giving up Antawn Jamison. Please explain to me Mr. Ken Berger how this Celtics deal would have been more desirable for the Washington Wizards. Because to me it just doesn't add up. I don't think Ernie Grunfeld had to be disuaded from dealing with the Boston Celtics. I think he just decided to make the deal that actually added up and made sense.

Since: Feb 14, 2010

Posted on: February 14, 2010 5:22 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

GREAT trade for the Cavs! Actually too good to be true. Issues with Shaq can be worked out. Minor compared to being able to pair another all-star with the King. Go Cavs!

Since: Sep 26, 2007

Posted on: February 14, 2010 12:35 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

Agreed. JJ can DEVELOP into something very special, but for now, you have to do the deal. My only fear is pairing Shaq and Amare again. It did not work in Phoenix

Akron Buckeye
Since: Nov 19, 2006

Posted on: February 14, 2010 10:47 am

This comment has been removed.

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Since: Dec 6, 2008

Posted on: February 13, 2010 11:28 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

id be open to a trade but not to an amare trade. chemistry is unmeasurable in dollar signs.

Since: May 26, 2009

Posted on: February 13, 2010 10:48 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

Since: Jan 11, 2007

Posted on: February 13, 2010 7:30 pm

Trade Buzz: Amar'e Watch

This is late and pointless. It's been out all day now.

Since: Nov 30, 2009

Posted on: February 13, 2010 7:10 pm

NBA best 37-11 record at all star break.

i'm pretty sure they've played 6 games since they were 37-11, so that would make them 43-11. and honestly if the cavs trade for amare it could seriously damage the chemistry they have going on right now between their role players.if the cavs get rid of jj then they are stupid.

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